Golf club and golf club head

ABSTRACT

A golf club including a head body and a feedback system is provided. The head body includes a striking face, a crown portion, a toe portion, a sole portion and a neck portion. The feedback system is disposed in the head body for outputting a feedback signal, such that the player can modify the stance and the swing in accordance with the feedback signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 94127277, filed on Aug. 11, 2005. All disclosure of the Taiwan application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a golf club head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf club head having a feedback system.

2. Description of Related Art

In a sports minded society, golf has become one of the most popular sports with ever more individuals taking up the game. However, with a traditional golf club there is no specific mechanism to prompt players if a ball has been hit by the central part of the striking face of the club, which players try to do. In general, golf players only can adjust their stance and swing by subjective feelings, hoping for best contact with the ball.

In other words, golf players may not be able to hit the ball accurately without hitting it by the central part of the striking face of the golf club, and therefore, the ball may not fly far enough and may even fly foul, costing player's points. Furthermore, it is inefficient to try to adjust stance and swing based on subjective feelings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a specific mechanism to show the player if a ball has been hit at the center of the club's striking face.

A second purpose of the present invention is to provide a golf club having a club head capable of generating feedback signals.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a head body and a feedback system. The head body has a striking face and a neck. The feedback system is disposed on or in the head body. When the center of the striking face hits the ball, the feedback system is actuated by the contact force to output a feedback signal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback system comprises a sensing device and a feedback device. The sensing device is disposed on the back of the striking face, and the feedback device is electrically connected to the sensing device. When the striking face hits the golf ball, the sensing device is actuated by the contact force, and the feedback device outputs a feedback signal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the head body has an assembly cavity.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback system comprises a power supply device. The power supply device is suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity and is electrically connected to the feedback device.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the golf club head comprises a carrier and a battery. The carrier is suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity and the battery is disposed on the carrier.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the head body further comprises a transparent back cover having at least an insert hole corresponding to the assembly cavity. The transparent back cover is suitable for covering the feedback system disposed on or in the head body and the carrier is suitable for simultaneously assembling into the insert hole and the assembly cavity, so as to fix the transparent back cover on the head body.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback signal comprises a light signal, a sound signal or a vibration signal. The sensing device comprises a piezoelectric sensing device or a contact sensing device.

The present invention provides a golf club having a shaft and an above-mentioned golf club head. The neck of the golf club head is used to combine with the shaft.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback system comprises a sensing device and a feedback device. The sensing device is disposed on the back of the striking face, and the feedback device is disposed on or in the head body or on the shaft. Furthermore, the feedback device is electrically connected to the sensing device. When the striking face of the club hits the golf ball, the sensing device is actuated by the contact force, and the feedback device outputs a feedback signal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the head body has an assembly cavity.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback system comprises a power supply device. The power supply device is suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity and is electrically connected to the feedback device.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the golf club comprises a carrier and a battery. The carrier is suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity and the battery is disposed on or in the carrier.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing device comprises a piezoelectric sensing device or a contact sensing device.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device comprises an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a buzzer or a vibrator.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback signal comprises a light signal, a sound signal or a vibration signal.

The present invention provides a golf club head having a head body, an opening, a transparent cover and a feedback system. The head body comprises a striking face and a neck. The opening is formed on the top of the head body. Furthermore, the transparent cover is suitable for combining with the opening. The feedback system is disposed on or in the head body. When the striking face hits the golf ball, the feedback device is actuated by the contact force, to output a feedback signal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback system comprises a sensing device and a feedback device. The sensing device is disposed on/in the striking face. Furthermore, the feedback device is electrically connected to the sensing device. When the golf ball hits the striking face, the sensing device is actuated by the contact force, and the feedback device outputs a feedback signal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device comprises an LED.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback signal is a light signal.

The present invention provides a golf club head having a head body, a carrier and a shock absorber. The head body has an assembly cavity and the carrier is suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity. The shock absorber is disposed on the carrier to absorb the shock generated by the striking face while hitting.

Since the golf club of the present invention adopts the golf club head having the feedback system, the player can perceive if the ball is hit by the center of the striking face by the feedback signal generated from the feedback system, thus knowing how to modify stance and swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the striking face of the golf club according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another golf club according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club according to the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

The golf club of the present invention prompts the golf player by making sounds, lights or vibrations. For example, a buzzer is used to make sounds, an LED is used to make lights and a vibrator is used to make vibrations. When the golf ball is hit by the striking face of the golf club, the point of contact between the striking face and the golf ball actuates a feedback system to output a feedback signal.

The golf club of the present invention generates a prompt according to the point of contact between the ball and the striking face. In one embodiment of the present invention, as long as the contact point is within the striking face, a prompt is generated by sounds, lights or vibrations. In another embodiment of the present invention, the prompts generated are different depending on which contact points within the striking face are struck. For example, if the contact point is on the central part of the striking face the so-called sweet spot, the prompt is different from that when the ball is hit with another position of the striking face. Therefore, players understand whether the ball has been hit on the sweet spot or not so as to adjust their stance and swing, accordingly.

In the present invention, when the striking face hits the ball, a sensing device detects a contact force and a prompt is generated. In one embodiment, the sensing device is a piezoelectric sensing device. The striking pressure on the striking face, as the striking face hits the ball, generates a current to actuate a switch, so as to output prompts like sounds, lights or vibrations. In another embodiment, the sensing device is a contact sensing device. The contact force on the striking face, as the striking face hits the ball, actuates and generates prompts like sounds, lights or vibrations.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric sensing device generates a current to actuate a switch in response to the pressure applied on the striking face as the striking face hits the ball, and provides power needed to make sounds, lights and vibrations. An independent power supply device is necessary for providing enough power to make sounds, lights or vibrations last longer. Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, an independent power supply device is selectively disposed in the golf club for providing independent power to the feedback devices.

The power supply device can be selectively disposed at any proper location in the golf club head body. However, in order to facilitate the assembly and the disassembly of the battery of the power supply device, the present invention can contain the technique described in Taiwan patent application serial no. 9311746 entitled, “Shock absorber structure of golf club head”, filed on Jun. 17, 2004 by the applicant. All the embodiments described in the above application are applicable to the present invention. Here, only one of the embodiments of the shock absorber structure of the golf club head is described, so as to make the description concise. In one embodiment of the present invention, an assembly cavity and a carrier suitable to assemble to the assembly cavity are arranged at a proper location in the head body. The battery of the power supply device is located in the assembly cavity, and then the carrier is assembled to the assembly cavity. The detailed structures of the assembly cavity and the carrier are disclosed in the above application. The applicant claims all structures of the assembly cavity and the carrier within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, if the golf club head prompts the player with lights, the present invention can combine the concepts disclosed in Taiwan patent application serial no. 93132128 entitled, “Assembly structure of golf club head”, filed on Oct. 22, 2004. All the embodiments described in the above application can be applied to the present invention. Here, only one of the embodiments of the golf club head capable of seeing through the interior structure of a golf ball is described, so as to make the description concise. In this embodiment of the present invention, the golf club head comprises a head body and at least one light assembly cover pervious to light. The head body forms an opening on at least the top portion. The light cover pervious to light is made of light material pervious to light, with the shape thereof corresponding to the one of the opening on the head body. The weight of the upper part of the golf club head is decreased effectively due to the light cover, and therefore the center-of-gravity position of the golf club head is adjusted downward and backward. The light can penetrate the light cover to prompt the player. In one embodiment, the trademark of the manufacturer or any other mark can be located on the light cover pervious to light. As a result, when players hit the ball and trigger the lighting prompt, the trademarks or the marks are conspicuous.

When the striking face makes contact with the golf ball, the golf club having the golf club head body of the present invention outputs a feedback signal to the player through the feedback system to inform the player if the ball has been hit by the central part of the striking face. And therefore, players can effectively modify stance and swing. Furthermore, the golf club of the present invention can exhibit special visual effects with the transparent cover and the feedback system.

The head body of the present invention has an assembly cavity and a carrier suitable for assembling in the assembly cavity. The battery of the power supply device is disposed in the assembly cavity, and then the carrier is assembled in the assembly cavity. Furthermore, an absorber is disposed in the assembly cavity for absorbing the vibrations and noises generated by the hitting, so as to extend the expected lifetime of the golf club.

Several specific embodiments are now proposed to describe the golf club head of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the golf club 100 comprises a shaft 110, a head body 120 and a feedback system 130. The shaft 110 is assembled to the head body 120, and the feedback system 130 is disposed in the head body 120 to meet the demand. Specifically, the head body 120 has a striking face 122 and a neck 124. The striking face 122 is for hitting the golf ball. The shaft 110 is assembled to the head body 120 through the neck 124.

The feedback system 130 comprises a sensing device 132, a feedback device 134 and a power supply device 136. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the striking face of the golf club in accordance with the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the sensing device 132 is arranged in the central area C on the back of the striking face 122 and is electrically connected to the feedback device 134. The feedback device 134 is electrically connected to the power supply device 136, and thus the power supply device 136 provides the power which the feedback device 134 requires.

The sensing device 132 is a contact sensing device or a piezoelectric sensing device. The feedback device 134 of the embodiment is a buzzer with the feedback signal H being a sound signal. Of course, the embodiment is not restricted to the buzzer as its feedback device 134. The feedback device 134 can be a vibrating device or an LED with the feedback signal H being a vibrating signal and an optical signal respectively. In other words, as long as the feedback signal H is specific and able to prompt the players, the feedback device 134 is acceptable.

More specifically, the power supply device 136 comprises a carrier 138 and a battery 140. The battery 140 is disposed on the carrier 138 and the carrier is a screw nut, a sticking slice or an insert. The carrier 138 and the battery 140 are assembled into the assembly cavity 10 of the head body 120.

Practically, when players hit the golf ball with the central area C of the striking face 122, since the striking face 122 undergoes great pressure for an instant, the contact force actuates the sensing device 132 and the feedback device 134 outputs a feedback signal H. The feedback signal H prompts players that the golf ball has been hit by the central area C of the striking face 122. Therefore, players learn if the golf ball has been hit accurately and it helps players improve their swings.

Of course, the sensing device 132 can be arranged in an area other than the central area C of the striking face 122. When the ball is hit by an area other than the central area C of the striking face 122, the sensing device 132 is actuated and the feedback device 134 outputs a feedback signal H. The feedback signal H tells the player that the ball has not been hit in the central area C of the striking area 122, and thus the player can modify stance and swing accordingly.

If the sensing device 132 is a piezoelectric sensing device, the piezoelectric sensing device transfers the pressure exerted by the ball on the striking face 122 to a current and the current is transmitted to the feedback device 134 to output a feedback signal H. Thus, the power supply device 136 is not necessary.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another golf club according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the feedback device 134 is disposed in the back side on the head body 120. As the striking face 122 hits the ball, the sensing device 132 is actuated by the contact force and a feedback signal H is outputted from the feedback device 134. The feedback signal H is a sound signal, a vibration signal or a light signal according to different types of feedback device 134.

Furthermore, a transparent back cover 150 is disposed to protect the feedback device 134, and the trademark or the characters of the manufacturer can be printed thereon. The material of the transparent back cover 150 is preferred to be plastic or some other material pervious to light. The shape of the transparent back cover 150 is not restricted to the one shown in FIG. 3 and can be amended according to different applications. Practically, the transparent back cover 150 has at least one insert hole 10 a corresponding to the assembly cavity 10. There are two insert holes 10 a in FIG. 3. The number of the insert holes 10 a corresponds to the number of the assembly cavities 10.

The transparent back cover 150 is fixed on the head body 120 and therefore covers the feedback system 130 in the back side of the head body 120. The cover 150 is fixed by the carrier 138, assembling both into the insert hole 10 a and the assembly cavity 10. Thus, the transparent back cover 150 not only displays the trademark of the manufacturer, but also protects the feedback system 130. The carrier 138 is a screw nut or an insert. The carrier 138 is suitable for carrying the battery and assembling into the assembly cavity 10 of the head body 120 with the battery 140.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club according to the second embodiment. Please refer to FIG. 4, which shows that the feedback device 234 is disposed in the end of the shaft 210 and is a buzzer, a vibrator or an LED. Therefore, the location of the feedback device 234 can be closer to the eyes, hands and ears of the player, and it facilitates the player's perceiving the feedback signal H from the feedback device 234. The location of the feedback device 234 is not limited in the present embodiment. The feedback device 234 can be disposed at any location as long as the player can receive the feedback signal H.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club according to the third embodiment. Please refer to FIG. 5, which shows that the golf club head of this embodiment combines an opening, a transparent cover, a carrier and a shock absorber (as described in detail in the following). Compared to the first embodiment, the golf club head of the third embodiment has more functions.

The golf club 300 of this embodiment comprises an opening 30, a shaft 310, a head body 320, a feedback system 330, a transparent cover 340, a carrier 350 and a shock absorber 360. The opening 30 is formed on at least the top part of the head body 320 and is suitable for combining the transparent cover 340.

The head body 320 comprises an assembly cavity 40, a striking face 322 and a neck 324. The assembly cavity 40 is suitable for assembling the carrier 350 and the shock absorber 360 (described in the following). The neck 324 is suitable for being combined with the shaft 310. The feedback system 330 can be disposed in the head body 320 in accordance with practical demands.

More specifically, the feedback system 330 comprises a sensing device 332 and a feedback device 334. The sensing device 332 is a piezoelectric sensing device and the feedback device 334 is an LED. Practically, the piezoelectric sensing device is actuated when the striking face hits the golf ball, and the piezoelectric sensing device then generates a current to the LED to output a light signal (feedback signal H) for feedback the player. The light signal from the LED is transmitted through the transparent cover 340 to make a special visual effect.

In FIG. 5, the carrier 350 of the embodiment is a screw nut, a sticking slice or an insert. The shock absorber 360 is made of shock-absorbable damping material, like foam rubber, rubber, epoxy, polyethylene or combinations of these materials. The shock absorber 360 is disposed on the carrier 350 and is assembled into the assembly cavity 40 along with the carrier 350. Practically, as the golf ball is hit by the golf club 300, the shock absorber 360 absorbs the shock of the head body 320 in order to reduce noise generated by the hitting of the ball, so as to extend the expected lifetime of the golf club 300.

In summary, the golf club of the present invention has the following advantages:

-   1. A golf club having the feedback system helps the player to modify     stance and swing through the definite feedback mechanism, so as to     improve the efficiency of exercise. -   2. The golf club of the present invention combines the transparent     cover with the feedback system to show special visual effects. -   3. The shock absorber of the golf club of the present invention     absorbs the shocks and the noises of hitting the ball, so as to make     extend the expected lifetime of the golf club. It will be apparent     to those skilled in the art that various modifications and     variations may be made to the structure of the present invention     without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view     of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover     modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall     within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A golf club head, comprising: a head body having a striking face and a neck; and a feedback system disposed in the head body and actuated by a contact force to output a feedback signal when the striking face hits a golf ball.
 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the feedback system comprises: a sensing device disposed on the striking face; and a feedback device, electrically connected to the sensing device, wherein the sensing device is actuated by the contact force when the striking face hits the golf ball, and the feedback device outputs the feedback signal.
 3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the head body has an assembly cavity.
 4. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the feedback system comprises a power supply device suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity and being electrically connected to the feedback device.
 5. The golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the power supply device comprises: a carrier suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity; and a battery disposed on the carrier.
 6. The golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the head body further comprises a transparent back cover having at least one insert hole corresponding to the assembly cavity, the transparent back cover is suitable for covering the feedback system disposed on the head body, and the carrier is suitable for simultaneously assembling into the insert hole and the assembly cavity, so as to fix the transparent back cover on the head body.
 7. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the sensing device comprises a piezoelectric sensing device.
 8. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the sensing device comprises a contact sensing device.
 9. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the feedback device comprises an LED.
 10. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the feedback device comprises a buzzer.
 11. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the feedback signal comprises a light signal.
 12. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the feedback signal comprises a sound signal.
 13. A golf club, comprising: a shaft; a head body having a striking face and a neck, wherein the neck is suitable for being combined with shaft; and a feedback system disposed in or on the head body and actuated by a contact force to output a feedback signal when the striking face hits a golf ball.
 14. The golf club according to claim 13, wherein the feedback system comprises: a sensing device disposed on the striking face; and a feedback device disposed on or in the head body or on the shaft, and electrically connected to the sensing device, wherein the sensing device is actuated by the contact force when the striking face hits the golf ball, and the feedback device outputs the feedback signal.
 15. The golf club according to claim 13, wherein the head body has an assembly cavity.
 16. The golf club according to claim 14, wherein the feedback system comprises a power supply device suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity and being electrically connected to the feedback device.
 17. The golf club according to claim 16, wherein the power supply device comprises: a carrier suitable for assembling into the assembly cavity; and a battery disposed on the carrier.
 18. The golf club according to claim 17, wherein the head body further comprises a transparent back cover having at least one insert hole corresponding to the assembly cavity, the transparent back cover is suitable for covering the feedback system disposed on the head body, and the carrier is suitable for simultaneously assembling into the insert hole and the assembly cavity, so as to fix the transparent back cover on the head body.
 19. The golf club according to claim 14, wherein the sensing device comprises a piezoelectric sensing device or a contact sensing device.
 20. The golf club according to claim 14, wherein the feedback device comprises an LED, a buzzer or a vibrator.
 21. The golf club according to claim 13, wherein the feedback signal comprises a light signal, a sound signal or a vibration signal.
 22. A golf club head, comprising: a head body having a striking face and a neck; an opening formed on at least the top of the head body; a transparent cover suitable for being combined with the opening; and a feedback system disposed in or on the head body and actuated by a contact force to output a feedback signal when the striking face hits a golf ball.
 23. The golf club according to claim 22, wherein the feedback system comprises: a sensing device disposed on the striking face; and a feedback device, electrically connected to the sensing device, wherein the sensing device is actuated by the contact force when the striking face hits the golf ball, and the feedback device outputs the feedback signal.
 24. The golf club according to claim 22, wherein the feedback device comprises an LED.
 25. The golf club according to claim 22, wherein the feedback signal comprises a light signal. 